Web Application Server

Although not originally envisioned as NetWeaver-specific, SAP's WebASa "new" and more comprehensive Basis layerwas designed to simplify installation, integration, and ongoing maintenance. Additionally, SAP AG wanted to give developers a choice, adding Java/J2EE support to SAP's mainstay ABAP/4. Finally, from the onset, SAP AG intended to integrate Internet Transaction Server into a common platform; this was finally accomplished with WebAS version 6.40.

WebAS also provides enhanced support for XML and Web Services technologies, including SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol) and WSDL (Web Services Definition Language). With support for Unicode offered as of WebAS 6.30, the capability to standardize on a particular company-wide technology platform relative to matters as diverse as language support also makes a compelling argument for deploying what ultimately morphed into the platform undergirding NetWeaver.